Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1891 — Not Republics. [ARTICLE]

Not Republics.

There are those, no doubt, who think that South America is a'collection of republics. But they are mistaken. Those governments simply have the form of republics, and are military despotisms, pure and simple. The Government of Chili has never been anything but an oligarchy, and will continue one no matter what becomes of Balmaceda. The rich few govern the poor and ignorant many. Probably we are not yet correctly informed as to the merits of the revolution in Chili. Balmaceda and his adherents were “in” and wished to stay in, while the “outs” were determined to get in at any cost. But South American revolutions long ago ceased to astonish any one; they seem to come as naturally as the changes of seasons. The victor, no matter who, is always cheered and crowned with flowers, while the ignorant masses delve in fields and mines, and know almost as little about political affairs as their domestic animals. Decapitation of a politician in South America means exactly what its etymology signifies, and not merely a removal from. office. Our State Department seemed V) side with Balmaceda in this contest, which may cause a “coolness” toward us for a time on the part of the new political powers.